World Cupdate for buddies

DONNA and Tal Marcus could not believe their luck when they opened a can of lager and found they had won a five-star trip to the World Cup finals in Japan.

But delight soon turned to devastation for the Whitefield couple when they were informed by brewery giants Budweiser that the competition''s closing date had expired a month earlier.

Budweiser showed it has a heart, however, when it relented and promised the thrilled couple - and others in the same situation - they would go on the trip of a lifetime.And that could see them flying out to Japan to see the final a week on Sunday.

Tal said he had been offered a new TV or £800 of shopping vouchers as initial compensation.

Unfortunately for Donna, it is too late for her to make arrangements at work - so Tal is making the trip with friend.